You Are Not Alone

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)

In January, I had the opportunity to speak to Heather Schultz from The Pink Dress Ministry on the issue of health.  Below is an outline of that conversation which fits so perfectly for our 31 Days of Wellness.  Enjoy.

1. For those who didn't get a chance to read your bio, tell us a little about your background and some of your experiences that brought you to living a healthier lifestyle today.
I was raised in an active home, and grew up playing sports. As a young gymnast, I developed poor eating habits. I became involved in school sports, but the poor eating habits remained and I was putting on more weight than I should have. After some injuries, I became even unhealthier. Throughout this time, and throughout my life, I was teased for my big legs, I was told I was “one of the guys” and things like that. I had coaches who berated me in front of gyms full of people. Part of me knew I was strong and worth more than what their words told me, but as time went on I believed the lies more than anything else.

2. When you were struggling with being, as you said, "unfit and unhappy," how would you say it affected the way you felt about yourself?
It affected everything! I hid behind my humor and quick wit, and decided boys were just dumb since none were asking me out. I became accustomed to hearing “If only I could find someone like you” which really meant, “I think you are great, but I am not at all attracted to you.” I did not like who I was, especially when I looked in the mirror. There were few positive things I could or would say about myself. The end of Matthew 6:25 says, “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” For me, what food I was going to fill my life with consumed me.

3. Would you say that oftentimes living an unhealthy lifestyle and having a poor self-image go hand in hand? Why or why not?
Definitely! When we don’t feel valuable, we don’t take care of ourselves because we don’t feel we are worth the time and effort. We are also likely to sabotage our own efforts, like I did. I would workout then go get some fast food, and upsized it too! When I felt like this, I didn’t like going to gyms because I felt like everyone would be focused on me and my unhealthy body, and was sure they were thinking the same negative thoughts I had about myself.

I have begun to realize that we allow food to become our god and stuff ourselves with as much as it as possible. We are choosing unhealthy meals and portions and trying to fill what only God can. 1Cor 6:13 states, “food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.” We are putting food, because it is necessary for survival and the only way we seem to know how to fellowship, as a top priority. Our bodies were created to glorify God, and we are destroying them by believing lies this world tells us and by choosing unhealthy lifestyles.

4. Would you agree, that oftentimes women in general struggle with weight due to low self-worth, or do you think having low self-worth stems from being unhealthy? Why?
This could be a whole podcast in and of itself! I honestly think that low self-worth leads to an unhealthy lifestyle. From what I have experienced, the vast majority of individuals, especially women, who struggle with their weight and health have some sort of abuse in their past. Whether it is physical, sexual, or verbal, the abuse suffered leads to an incorrect view of oneself. Therefore, we don’t feel like we are good enough and stuff ourselves, literally. In an effort to protect herself, an abused woman will attempt to make herself undesirable, that way she feels safe, that she will be left alone, and that she is now protected. Excess fat, in most cases, is a shield and defense mechanism. We get tired of being hurt, so we adopt unhealthy lifestyles in order to keep others at bay.

1 Cor 6:15 says our bodies are a member of Christ. Let’s think about that. How are we representing him? I am rather sure that Christ’s body was not overweight, unhealthy, and unable to get through the day. In that scripture, we are given eternal value and worth, and that blows my mind! That is the truth we need to wrap our mind’s around: we are HIS! In order to do his work, we have got to get healthier because right now we are a diseased and unhealthy body.

5. Now, I know you've given me some really great advice in the past when I've come to you and said, "Michelle, I need help. I'm feeling sluggish and have no energy. I try to eat right, but I still can't seem to lose the weight that I want....what do you recommend?" So, for our listeners out there, what are some tips or advice you have for those who may be saying, "Hey, I'm tired of feeling this way, but I don't know what I need to do at this point."? What are some things you recommend?
I would recommend AdvoCare products, which we’ll discuss in a moment, and eating foods that are God made. The more natural a food is, the better it is for your body. If it is processed, just say no! We also need to move more and change our ideas of what exercise entails. Dance in the living room with your kids, play a game of tag, just find something you enjoy. You do not have to spend hours in a gym, recent studies have shown that just 10 minutes of movement will improve your health. You will not become really toned and defined that way, but 10 minutes of movement is better than none!

I came across an interesting verse the other day, Prov 23:1-3 which says, “When you sit down and dine with a ruler, consider carefully what’s before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are a man of great appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for it is deceptive food”. I am sure there is more to this verse than what my mind thought, but as I read this, it struck me that not being able to control our appetite, for food and so much else, is not what God wants for us. Put a knife to your throat? This is serious! God wants first place in our life, and He is the only one who can fill the voids we are trying to fill with food and only God can restore and redeem our brokenness. We can talk about plans all day long, but until we sit down and find out why we are choosing unhealthy lifestyles, we will not become healthy. The programs will not work, fully, if we are not allowing God to do a mighty work in us to fix what we, and others, have broken within us.

6. What would you say to the person out there who has given up - maybe she has tried every diet known to man - or maybe her schedule is so demanding, she just can't fit in the time to make healthier choices (like exercise, etc.)?
First and foremost, you are worth it. Sister, you are so worth it. God has created you at a specific time in a specific place and you are worth it. You are worth the efforts, you are worth the time, you are worth the change. If no one else has ever told you that before, then listen closely to what I am telling you: YOU ARE WORTH IT!

Take one step at a time. One week, choose to increase your fruit and vegetable intake. The next week, limit or avoid all simple and processed sugars. Small changes, over time, will create healthy habits.

As far as exercise, do what you enjoy. If you do not care to go to a gym, there are some amazing workout videos out there. Or, involve some friends and meet for walks a couple days a week. Cut out the TV and the computer and other distractions and just be for a moment. Sit and breathe, let your mind and body relax, and remember: you are worth it!

7. Not only do you help people with exercise regimens and eating right (obviously b/c you're a fitness trainer), but you also have a business operated out of your home that others can benefit from as well. Would you care to tell us about that?
AdvoCare is a premier health and wellness company offering world-class energy, weight-loss, nutrition, and sports performance products along with a rewarding business opportunity.

We have an incredible Scientific &; Medical advisory board who develop, research and test our products, unpaid endorsers, and Drew Brees recently became our national spokesperson.

AdvoCare products are safe, and they work. As an 18 year old direct sales company, AdvoCare is growing and improving every year. Lives are being changed in areas of health, finance, and personal growth. The opportunities are endless, and their products are honestly the only nutritional supplements or vitamins I will recommend. With these products, I know I am getting the best nutrition available, and I have more energy than ever before.

8. Is there anything else you'd like to say to encourage us women to live a healthier lifestyle?
John 4:34 says, “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work.’” It is time for us to be about our father’s business, to glorify him, with every aspect of our lives and stop picking and choosing. It is time to allow Him to take his rightful place in our lives and time for us to take better care of the bodies he has given us. The healthier I am, the better and more able I will be to serve Him and others. I cannot be about my father’s business if my body is unhealthy and I do not think I am capable. It is time to trust God at his word, and believe we are worth it, we are valuable, and we are important. We are loved by the Creator of this universe and He wants us to know that. We are worth it, so very worth it. And the journey to healthy living will be worth it.

Is Your Glass Cracked?

Recently, a challenge was issued that involves working out, in sports bras. No shirts, no tank tops, just the sports bra (with a fully clothed lower half I might add).

While I understand the reasoning behind the challenge, it also saddened me. Where has our sense of modesty gone? Is anyone, anywhere, practicing modesty? In a gym, I can tell you honestly there is way too much flesh being shown.

Do not get me wrong, I love tank tops that show off my deltoids, which I have worked mighty hard to define, but walking around in a sports bra alone is crossing the line. For one, there are members of the opposite sex around. Secondly, I am married. Finally, I see no need for it.

Too many people, especially women, walk around looking in cracked glass mirrors. The image they see is distorted and twisted and not a true reflection of what God has created. While I love the two girls posing this challenge, I could not disagree more with it.  In many ways, I see it promoting the cracked glass images rather than the beauty of God's craftmanship.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." Ladies, there is no honor in revealing a multitude of flesh in public places. While I do not believe we need to be exercising in turtlenecks and long pants either, I believe there is a balance we need to start finding in our clothing.

The women's director at our former church was once asked why she, unlike many other girls at the gym, did not wear short shorts and skimpy tops.  Her reply?  "Because I know who I am."  Even as I type that, I cannot help but smile.  Do you know who you are or are you seeking your seal of approval from man?  You were bought at a price, the price of a holy life.  Do you really need an onlooker staring too long at you to realize your worth?

Part of wellness is an emotional and spiritual health. That involves knowing who you are. If you know who you are, you will have no need to galavant around in public half dressed. You will walk tall and feel strong because you know you are those things. You will not need to prove it to anyone because you will already know.  When you understand those to things fully, you will see the benefit in caring for your body better.  The confidence that comes from that knowledge will instill in you a great emotional and spiritual awareness that will benefit you as much as a trip to the gym.

Clothe yourselves with strength and dignity (Proverbs 31:25), followed by your shirt because, friend, you know who you are.

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)

Blown Away

In Wednesday night's Israel preparation class, they watched a DVD from the History Channel. Below is a small portion of that video, and a link to download and view it in full. My mind is blown away. I will be going to each of the places shown in the video. Really God? Really? Seriously, I am blown away.



To download and view the entire episode of History Channel Lost Worlds: Herod the Great, click here.

Lessons From An Inner Tube

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)

I originally posted this here. However, I wanted to simply encourage you today, and let you know you have someone rooting for you as you work to improve your own health.

Every year we meet up with my in-laws on a beautiful lake in North Carolina. It is scenic and gorgeous, and always filled with adventures. Throughout the week, we take the boat out and take our turns riding the inner tubes. As our spirit of adventure rises, the need for speed and bumps and high flying fun begins.

On one particular outing this year, I joined two nieces on one tube while three of my nephews climbed aboard the other. We set off, and the need to be tossed about rose. We flew, sometimes into each other, and definitely across the lake. There were moments all but our hands left the tube, and all that kept us on was a strong grip and an even stronger will. There were moments it felt as if one tube would land on top of the other as well as times we were sure we were about to get flown into the lake. We laughed, we screamed, we held on for dear life. And you know what? We had fun. We had stories to tell and excitement to retell to those who did not join us.

Isn't that how much of life is? We choose to hold on, we choose to let go. It is all a matter of what we are wanting. Do we want to see the ride to the finish or do we want to give in? When the course becomes bumpy and tosses us side to side, how will we react? Give in? Let go or tighten our grip and refuse to be tossed? Will we ride out the waves with fierce determination or decide it is no longer worth it? What stories will we have to tell, what adventures will we have to look back on?

I challenge you to hold on, in life, in AdvoCare, in your wellness journey, in whatever your goals may be. You may feel, at one point or another, that there will be no way you can stay the course, that you will, in spite of all your efforts, be tossed around and thrown off course. But friends, it will be worth it. It will be worth the effort, worth the tightening of muscles as you increase your grip and fight to stay on. Enjoy the journey, laugh, scream, allow others to journey with you. Do not go alone, but even if they choose to let go, you do not have to. You have the power, the ability to choose, the question becomes, do you really want it?

WFW Nehemiah 9:19-20

“Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst." (Nehemiah 9:19-20)

I am finding a newfound love for the Old Testament. Wow. God's mercy is so evident as I read through these scriptures. Time and time again, God protects the Israelites, even in their disobedience. His plans and purposes will come to pass, they cannot be impeded by sinful hearts.

There are consequences, there are always consequences. Yet, there is also forgiveness, a do-over. Isn't God good?

In the wilderness, God's chosen rebel. The people he's led out of captivity, the people he's provided for. How quickly they forget, how quickly we forget. Even then, God cares for them and meets their needs. They cannot outrun God's love for them.

In fact, neither can you.

To enjoy more Word Filled Wednesday posts click here..

Don't be a fool

"A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD." Proverbs 19:3

We have only 4 days left in our 31 Days of Wellness journey. My prayer, and hope, is that you have found these posts to be informative, challenging, and encouraging. All three in one. I am not sure I have achieved any of the three goals, but that is my intent. Many posts had me shouting, "OUCH" even as I typed. Trust me when I say this has been a way for me to confront my own unhealthy laundry.

In continuing with the theme of confrontation, I found myself settling on the verse in Proverbs a few days ago. As I read it I instantly thought, "I must use that for one of my posts." It is true, isn't it? We make poor decisions then get made at anyone within a three foot radius and at the One who created us when we have to face the consequences of our actions.

Overeating, lack of exercising, they have taken their toll. Yes, there is a psychology behind it and barriers we must break down. But how did we get there? Casting extreme circumstances aside, we chose it (and there's the overall them friends: choice). We chose to console our pain with food. We chose to believe lies that were spoken to us so we did not take care of ourselves. We looked in the mirror and did not find a person worthy of wellness. Lies lies lies. We chose to believe them, live by them, and are now enraged.

And you know what? Stress is horrible for the body, which means we are only kicking our already beaten up selves.

Stop. Breathe. Remind yourself that it did not take one day to fall into unhealthy habits, and it will take more than one day to retrain yourself. Remind yourself it is possible. Remind yourself you are worth it. Open up your Bible and read what God says of you, his beloved, his treasure. Take the rage you have for him, who "created you this way," and throw hurl out the lies; they have no place in your life anymore.

Think about what you want, what your goals are. Let your actions fall in line with those goals. Think, act, repeat. And while you are at it, ask someone to keep you accountable to these things. A friend, a personal trainer, a nutritionist, someone, anyone, who will not allow you to feed on your excuses but who will journey with you down this road of wellness. Do not be a (wo)man ruined by his own folly.

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)

Mugabe and the White African

One family’s stand for Justice – catch the story on PBS 7/26!

I'll be blogging about the book Mugabe and the White African later this month, but I wanted to let you know that Point of View will air the documentary Mugabe and the White African on Tuesday, July 26th.

The film tells the story of Mike Campbell and his family of three generations of Zimbabwean farmers as they attempt to keep their farm under Mugabe's "land reform." Watch the trailer for the documentary below and visit the PBS Point of View website for your local listing. http://www.pbs.org/pov/tvschedule/

The book Mugabe and the White African (Lion Books, distributed by Kregel Publications, July 15, 2011, ISBN: 978-0-7459-5546-9, $14.95) written by Mike Campbell's son-in-law Ben Freeth provides more detail regarding the family's struggles and court battles.The book chronicles the deeply moving and life-threatening struggle of a Christian family from Zimbabwe to protect their legally owned farmland, to protect the lives and livelihoods of all those working on the farm, and to live to see justice.

Freeth lays bare a beautiful but lawless land fouled by fear. A 'Clockwork Orange' state where racism, greed, and violence are ultimately humbled by almost unimaginable courage. Richly described, bravely chronicled, and utterly compelling. 

-Mike Thomson, Radio Foreign Affairs Correspondent, BBC

Ben Freeth has an extraordinary story to tell. Like that of many white farmers, his family's land was "reclaimed" for redistribution by Mugabe's government. But Ben's family fought back. Appealing to international law, they instigated a suit against Mugabe's government in the SADC, the Southern African equivalent of NATO. The case was deferred time and again while Mugabe's men pulled strings. But after Freeth and his parents-in-law were abducted and beaten within inches of death in 2008, the SADC deemed any further delay to be an obstruction of justice. The case was heard, and was successful on all counts.

But the story doesn't end there. In 2009 the family farm was burned to the ground. The fight for justice in Zimbabwe is far from over--this book is for anyone who wants to see into the heart of one of today's hardest places and how human dignity flourishes even in the most adverse circumstances.

Read an Excerpt (PDF)

Read the Press Release

Safe From The Past

My Thoughts:
Mauro's book will inspire you, in spite of your circumstances. She has probably been there, and done that, and yet overcome it. Although her journey has not been easy, she writes well of the trials she faced in life and how she went beyond her upbringing. I also like that she does not wade around in the details of life's miseries, but focuses more on what she chose to do in spite of her circumstances. This is a great read, enjoy.

About the Giveaway!

To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using #litfuse) about Safe From the Past or share about it on Facebook!

If you tweet we'll capture your entry when you use @litfuse. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let us know (info@litfusegroup.com). Easy.

Not sure what to tweet/post? Here's an idea:

TWEET THIS: Safe From the Past by Patricia Mauro - inspiring tale of perseverance in the face of unimaginable hardships. http://ow.ly/5FQHA #litfuse

FACEBOOK THIS: Don’t miss Patricia Mauro’s Safe From the Past - inspiring, deeply personal tale of perseverance in the face of unimaginable hardships. http://ow.ly/5FQHA. Told in an open, honest voice with the deepest sincerity, the author's life story serves as a rousing inspiration to those with the desire to create a better life than the one they are currently living.

About Safe From the Past:
A kidnapping, the divorce of her parents, the loss of her father, temporary abandonment and extreme poverty are just some of the issues the author dealt with as a young child.

Her mother finally tells her she must go to college so she can break out of this cycle of poverty and hopelessness. But how can she when she has no money and absolutely no confidence or self esteem?

Read this true story to discover what hope, faith and determination can do to change a life.

A truly inspiring, deeply personal tale of perseverance in the face of unimaginable hardships, Safe from the Past makes clear the restorative power of an education.

Told in an open, honest voice with the deepest sincerity, the author's life story serves as a rousing inspiration to those with the desire to create a better life than the one they are currently living.

No matter how helpless you feel, everyone has the power to shape their own life.

Buy the book here.

About the Patricia Miller Mauro:
Patricia worked in New York City's financial district for thirteen years in the field of securities operations. At that time, she went on to obtain an MBA from New York University. She and her husband moved to Dallas, TX in 2001 where they are raising their two children.

During her time in NY, Patricia wrote an article entitled "A Tribute To My Mother" which was published in "The Recovery Journal" in 1999. Her book is a continuation of that tribute and serves to spread the message to those in similar situations that good news is on its way to children considering a higher education but who are afraid to dream. For more information please visit, www.patriciamaurobooks.com.

Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13380085

**LitFuse sent me this book in return for my honest review.

What's Holding you Back?

I believe, at day 26 in our journey through wellness, we can be pretty honest here. Right? We know we should eat foods rich in nutrients, we know we should get enough rest, and we know we should challenge our muscles through exercise. We know this, but we are not doing this.

And being the psychology major I am, that leads me to ask, "Why?"  Why the disconnect between knowledge and action?  I believe it's the old battle of flesh vs spirit.

James 1:22-24 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."

This is where we are in the ways of wellness.  We know so much, we have a mass amount of information at our very fingertips, yet we put so little into practice.  We know, but we do not do.

We are walking around with chains on our feet, slumped in our unhealthy prisons, yet there is a door open, a way to freedom.  Look at the picture above.  Imagine yourself in that hallway.  It is dark, desolate, void of life.  What would you do?  Would you stay there because it would be rather easy to simply slump down and put forth no effort?  Or, would you walk toward the door, thrown open, with light spilling in?  Freedom lies on the other side, but you must walk out.  You must actively choose to do something to change the circumstance.

I am tired of seeing so many walking around with the chains of unhealthy lives clanging behind them.  I am tired of seeing the shackles we have chosen with our sugar addictions, laziness, and poor habits.  The knowledge we have is the key that unbinds the chains, the shackles will fall free.  But being released from our vices is not enough if we remain in the prisons containing them.

It is time, sweet friends, to walk out, victoriously, and begin caring for ourselves as God's beloved.

Let me encourage you with 1 John 5:3-5, "In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

God is calling us to live in freedom, healthy, vibrant, life flowing freedom. We are not called to live in bondage. Psalm 108:13 states, "With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies." He will bring about victory, even when the enemy we face is ourselves.

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)

Denying Self in a Microwave Society

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." (Luke 9:23-24)

Has anyone else noticed we live in a world of excess? We can call it a recession all we want, but compared to most other parts of the world, we are living in a land overlfowing with more than we need. This may be why the concept and practice of fasting is uncommon now. Not only do we want more than we need, we also want it immediately. 

We do not want to wait, for our food, our weight loss, or our kids to tie their shoes.  We are too impatient and gluttons for our own desires.  Is it any wonder wellness is not a common trait among us?

When was the last time you passed on the desserts?  The chips and salsa?  The bread dripping with butter?  Typically, if it is placed before us it will be consumed by us.  We complain we ate too much rather than saying, "no thank you, I'll pass, please remove it from my sites."  Hmmm.  Never thought of that option have you?  It's true, I have done it, you can request not to have the excess brought.  Seriously.  You can, trust me.

With our immediate need for over-gratification, I want to challenge you to deny yourself.  What is that one thing you often find yourself thinking you must have?  What is the one thing that renders you powerless?  That is the one thing I challenge you to forgo.  For and afternoon?  A day?  A week?  A month?  I cannot tell you what that thing should be or for how long it should be cast aside, that is between you and God. 

For those wanting to walk the road leading to wellness, I urge you to attempt this.  You may just realize you don't need that thing much at all.  You may realize that walking away from a table rather than rolling away is preferable.  You might just start breaking strongholds in your life and start walking in freedom.

Excitement

And to think, I will set foot on this holy ground in two months. How gracious God is to me.

Jerusalem | Filmed in Imax 3D from JerusalemGiantScreen on Vimeo.

Weekend Recess continued

I hope each of you are having a wonderful weekend, and are getting some rest (and icing those toes in preparation for Monday's post! HA!). Here are a few core exercises for you to try, but not today, it's Sunday, you should be resting. You do remember we talked about rest, right?

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)

Weekend Recess

It's the weekend, and I have stomped, crushed, and damaged your toes enough this week with our 31 Days of Wellness journey. Therefore, we are going to take a limping step back and just give you some helpful tips for your workouts. Enjoy.

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)

But I Was Made This Way!

Psalm 139:14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Come on, we have all heard it, or said it, "I was just made this way!" This way being unhealthy, unwell, unfit.  Really?  Were you really born that way?  Was I?  Once again, it is time to be honest here friends.

Psalm 139:14, which I posted above, says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Let's think about that, shall we?  Made for what?  To sit around all day bemoaning our lives?  To feed ourselves too much of foods that do our bodies no good?  No!  We were made to know God and make Him known.  If we were created to be God's servants, we must be able to serve.  That means, we must be able to move, to function, well.

Some people have a natural tendency towards being thin, others have a tendency toward curviness, some tall, some not so tall, and so it goes in the variety of life.  I do not believe we are meant to look exactly the same with the exact same physiques.  I do not however believe that God created us with visions of unhealthy, overweight servants in mind.  We have done that, not our genetics.  We have chosen the foods and the inactivity that has brought us to this point.  Can we just admit that?  "Hello, my name is (insert your name here), and I have made poor choices that have hindered and hurt the body God gave me."  Doesn't it feel better to confess?

Do not mishear me however, I am not talking about extreme circumstances or diseases that are out of our control.  I am talking about the disease of indulgence which has led us right into an overweight society.  I am not saying that anyone carrying any extra weight on themselves should hang their heads in shame either.  What I am saying is that it is time we take responsibility for our actions, our decisions, our lack of discipline.  We do not gain an extra 20 lbs over night, it is a process that happens one poor choice after another.  However, that 20 lbs can be removed with one good choice after another.

While our shapes and statures may vary, the state of our wellness does not need to.  Choose a healthy habit today, and stick with it for the next week.  Walk everyday, drink more water and turn down sodas, increase your intake of vegetables and fruit, choose a salad over fries.  It all starts with one choice.

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)

Pour Some Sugar On Me -- Or Not

In yesterday's blog, I discussed our my addiction to sugar, and how we tend to excuse ourselves from indulging in unnecessary treats. Lo and behold, soon after posting I received two articles from ACE Fitness that further help to explain why sugar, and even some substitutes for treats are doing us no good.

The first article, entitled "Is Sugar To Blame for America's Obesity Epidemic?" had this to say:
Lustig labeled sugar—in all its forms—as nothing short of poison, reserving special opprobrium for high-fructose corn syrup, which he called “the most dangerous additive known to man.” The article goes on to say: By making such extreme claims, Lustig far surpasses the more conventional argument that sugar is nutritionally deficient, offering nothing but empty calories. He claims that the body metabolizes sugar differently than it does other carbohydrates, with deleterious metabolic consequences. In short, sugar taxes the liver, especially when it is consumed in liquid form such as soft drinks.


What's that, they mentioned soft drinks? "Oh, but I drink diet sodas," you say. Well, then let's discuss the article entitled "Do Diet Sodas Make People Gain Weight?" This article says: Two new studies found that drinking diet soda is associated with increased waist size and poorer overall health. Both studies were conducted by teams of researchers at the University of Texas Health Center at San Antonio and presented earlier this summer at the American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions meeting in San Diego, Calif.

Kind of shot that excuse out of the water didn't I? Let's stick to the basics: if God created it, your body was created to use, process, and get rid of it efficiently. If a food has been touched by a variety of human hands (ie: processed) than it is not going to be benefical for you body. Remember yesterday when I mentioned the verse stating not everything was beneficial even if it is permissable. The same rings true with food: it may all be available, but that doesn't mean we need to consume it. Think about it.

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Treats and Sweets

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." (1 Cor. 10:23-24)

Is it just me, or are most people trying to set up an excuse for poor eating? I know there have been times that I thought, "I have been working hard, I deserve at least one delicious treat." As this thought flows through my mind, my hands reach out for foods that have no nutritional value and are filled with sugars, preservatives, and a variety of other yuckiness.

Maybe I have been exercising hard, remained diligent in what I eat, but does this mean I deserve a special reward? While one treat on occassion will not throw all our hard work out the window, I have concluded this "I deserve a treat" mentality is holding us captive in unhealthy bodies and unhealthy ways of thinking.

When the sweet tooth begins demanding to be satisfied, I think we need to start asking ourselves "why?"  Why are we craving that little treat?  Are we feeding an emotion?  A void in our lives?  And if we choose to go ahead and ourselves a little treat, how much will we eat?  If just a little bit is all we craved, and we will stop after two or three bites, then go ahead.  However, if one bit turns to ten, which turns into a box of goodies, Houston, we have a problem!

If you currently have an addiction to food, specifically sweets, you must be more on guard than others.  I know some people who are able to have one fun size candy bar and be satisfied.  I am not such a person, and I therefore do not keep such foods in our house nor do I purchase them.  I know my weakness for sweets, and in order to not take my freedoms too far, I cannot have them in the house.  I reserve them for special occasions, and even then try to share them with someone else or choose a smaller portion.

May I add that fruits are natures treats?  They contain natural sugars and no nasty preservatives.  It's the best of both worlds.  There are also plenty of alternatives to calorie loaded foods, if you will only seek them out.

Like the verse in 1 Corinthians, yes we have the freedom to choose the foods we eat, but we need to start considering which foods will promote wellness in our lives and will be beneficial to our bodies.

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WFW: Made Beautiful

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Some days I just need to sit back and ponder God's goodness. Truly, He is so very good. In the midst of any circumstance, He is steadfast, consistent, and faithful. His works are beautiful, and perfect, and on time. And anytime I hear the following song by Gungor, I end up with tears in my eyes:

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Short and sweet

"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."  (3 John: 1-2)

That is why I have been writing 31 Days of Wellness, why I am involved with AdvoCare, and why I am a personal trainer.  Our health is important friends, very important.  If we are not healthy, we will not be active in God's work.  We will be limited by our own bodies.  Where is the fun in that?

Today, that is what I want you to think about.  How are you treating the body God gave you?  Are you treating it as a holy temple, or are you defiling it?  Are you able to go out and serve God with energy and joy, or are you weary every single day?  Is your mind thinking of that which God calls you to or on your next meal?  Are you stuffing yourself with food rather than God's word?

Think on these things.  We'll continue our discussion tomorrow.

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)

The Power of Influence

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” --JFK

Look around you. Who are your friends, those closest to you, the ones who you call to join you for dinner or whatever outing you care to dive into? How well do they take care of their bodies? Is wellness important to them? If it is, than you are more likely to be adopting these same habits. If not, you both are more than likely practicing unhealthy habits.

Science has even helped prove the fact that our friends influence our health. It's true, read for yourselves:

...the data suggested, influenced one another’s health just by socializing. And the same was true of bad behaviors — clusters of friends appeared to “infect” each other with obesity, unhappiness and smoking. Staying healthy isn’t just a matter of your genes and your diet, it seems. Good health is also a product, in part, of your sheer proximity to other healthy people. By keeping in close, regular contact with other healthy friends for decades, Eileen and Joseph had quite possibly kept themselves alive and thriving. And by doing precisely the opposite, the lone obese man hadn’t. (Are Your Friends Making You Fat? NY Times 9/10/09)

The Bible also speaks of who we surround ourselves with. Proverbs 23:20-21 says, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags."

We discussed on Day 1 how we often excuse one another of unhealthy habits. While I am not suggesting we should ditch any and all friends who make a poor choice occasionally or someone who doesn't like to exercise, we need to be aware that we are influenced by those we surround ourselves with.

God designed us for fellowship, to crave it, to find joy in it. Fill yourselves with sweet fellowship and friendships rather than sweets.  Surround yourself with life promoting habits rather than flipping through the channels.  If you are not yet strong enough to resist temptations and laziness, find others who are stronger in these areas who will spur you on.  If you are one who has been walking a life of wellness, I encourage you to encourage others around you who are struggling. 

It is a daily choice we each must make.  Choose those things that will promote life, or choose those things that will promote death. 

Need a Kickstart?

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)

If you are looking to jump start your weight loss, break a plateau, or simply improve your health, I cannot recommend the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge products enough. Safe, effective, and the average weight loss is 10-12 lbs on this. It's just that good. In case you are in doubt, check out my friend Sarah's recent results on this program here.



To order the 24 Day Challenge, click here.

Create your own circuits

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)

Because we have friends visiting with us this week, which means talking and laughing late into the night, and picking up where we left off upon waking, I give you, some useful tools to add to your exercise routine.